Got my 1st Harley a month ago. 08 ultra vivid black.
Love that machine.
Probably gonna leave the mufflers stock because they're quiet.
When I took it in for 1k service, some guy waiting at the dealer's came running over and said, 'Man, that's the quietest Harley I've ever heard. Is it stock?"
Turn 65 in 2 months and I like 'quiet'; let's me hear the radio,cb,,cd's, etc., even when cruising at 80mph on the interstate.
Don't much care for the heat but have to expect it on an air-cooled V-twin. Considering heat deflectors.
Had the dealer move the Tourpak back a few inches, now it's quite roomy for me and my wife.
Put a Gorilla alarm on it, with a pager. Easy install, no splicing wires, works great. Peace of mind.
Still having a difficult time with 2 up at low speeds, but I know it's gonna take practice.
My short-legged wife is having a problem mounting and dismounting, gonna take more practice.
I'm now in the habit of putting the kickstand (Jiffy) down before she gets off and on, so I won't dump it.
I like the lope at idle (1,000) and smooth as butter when it comes off idle.
Had the dreaded idle increase, but fixed it with the off-on off-on ignition thing.
I don't hotrod the bike and am getting roughly 40mpg with a combination of solo and 2up riding.
Not bad at all.
The H-K audio system takes a bit of a learning curve.
Love it when kids in cars wave at us and watch their parents looking enviously at the bike.
Wife and I went from Atlanta to Clemson, NC for a cup of coffee, about 100 miles each way.
Cruised between 75 and 80. Effortless riding, smooth, and quiet. Guess that's what it's all about.
She enjoys the bike and darn near beats me out the door when I ask if she wants to go for a ride.
Looking forward to our Rolling Thunder trip coming up soon. Be my first trip to see the Wall (Nam vet, hope I can handle it)
Guess I've scribbled enough. That bike is terrific. And so is this forum.
Thanks for reading my ramblings.

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I also like the stock pipes, if I ever change them I'll keep something similar sounding. Look into a Power Commander III to help with the heat, makes a WORLD of difference. Check with Jamie at Fuel Moto and he'll set you up. 2 up gets much easier with practice, and don't forget to practice in parking lots on weekends......practice makes perfect. I'm much more comfortable this year then last fall when I picked up the bike.

Enjoy your ride and ride safe.[sm=biker2.gif]

 

I AM ALSO THE PROUD OWNER OF AN 08 ULTRA FOR MY FIRST HARLEY, I PICKED IT UP DEC. 15 AND NOW HAVE 4500 MILES LOGGED. MY WIFE LOVED RIDING SO MUCH SHE BOUGHT A USED HONDA SHADOW SO SHE CAN ALSO "DRIVE" WE JUST RETURNED FROM MAGGIE VALLEY NC A 850 MILE ROUND TRIP. WE SEEM TO PLAN A RIDE FOR EVERY WEEKEND. GREATEST TIME EVER!

 

hang in there with the 2 up riding. it takes practice. also the stock mufflers get a little louder with themiles- but not ever really too loud. I finally went with V&H Oval slipons and like the sound much better. good luck & be safe out there.

 

I am also new to the Harley family. My 2008 Ultra is not quite 3 weeks old and I love it! I am coming off of a 2001 GoldWing and can actually say I have a much comfortabler ride on the Ultra. I have more leg room, more feet locations and a much more comfortable seat. I am 6'8" tall and the Wing was killing my knees. With the Ultra, no knee discomfort at all in the first 1100 miles. This is what its all about.
Zapps

 

The 08 Ultra is my fourth Harley and we are loving this bike. There are a signficant number of changes from the 04 we had before that we really like. I also left the stock mufflers on for about 2500 miles, but recently changed to 1.75 Rush mufflers. Not sure about it, quite a bit louder than stock, but a nice tone to 'em. . .and I can still hear the radio,etc., Car tires in the other lane are considerably louder than my mufflers!

Congratulations on getting your new bike!

 

It will even get better when you put some miles on it. They aren't "broken in" really until you get about 3,000 miles on it.

Glad you enjoy it.

 

I'm getting used to my 08 Ultra too. Sweet bike, just not a great fit physically, so it's taking some adjustments. Great ride tho.
The WALL - even the traveling memorial is moving. Saw this in Yakima a couple years back.


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Glad you and the wife are liking your ride!

Thank you for your service!!!